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NEWBERRY ‒ A 23-year-old Newberry man was arrested Friday evening, Oct. 10, 2025, after allegedly striking two occupied vehicles in a busy Jonesville shopping plaza while intoxicated, refusing to sign multiple citations, and declining to undergo DUI testing, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called to the Jonesville McDonald’s parking lot at 14124 W. Newberry Road around 7:30 p.m., where witnesses said a white male in a dark-colored sedan with an Oklahoma tag had collided with two vehicles before speeding away. The driver reportedly left the scene through the neighboring Publix parking lot and continued west toward Northwest 143rd Street.

Two vehicles were damaged in the incident, and one victim reported a back injury, prompting deputies to issue an alert for the suspect’s vehicle.

A short time later, deputies located a black 2015 Honda Civic with heavy front and side damage parked in the driveway of a residence at 14228 N.W. 23rd Lane, less than a mile from the crash site. Deputies made contact with the alleged driver, identified as Mason Luke Gleeson who matched the description provided by witnesses. One of the victims later positively identified Gleeson as the person behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

Authorities said Gleeson denied driving the car and, after being read his Miranda rights, continued to insist he had not been behind the wheel. He reportedly refused to perform field sobriety tests and displayed visible signs of impairment, including bloodshot, glassy eyes and difficulty maintaining balance, leading the deputy to note that he had to lean against a patrol vehicle to steady himself. Deputies also reported the odor of alcohol coming from his breath and said Gleeson attempted to pull away while being detained.

A search of the damaged sedan turned up two 99 Bananas schnapps shooters, an orange shot glass in the center console, and a 24-ounce Modelo Chelada beer on the rear floorboard. While being transported, Gleeson allegedly tugged at the patrol car’s door handles and told deputies several times that his insurance would cover the damages.

At the Alachua County Jail, Gleeson was again read his Miranda warning. Without being questioned, he reportedly admitted he had left the scene of a crash he caused.

Gleeson was subsequently charged with failing to stop at the scene of a crash involving bodily injury, DUI with property damage or injury, resisting an officer without violence, driving under the influence, DUI with refusal to submit to testing, and four counts of refusing to sign a citation.

According to court records, Gleeson has no prior local criminal history. His bond was set at $196,500 by Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard.

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Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

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